SAN DIEGO - Family members of those who've died while in San Diego County Sheriff's Department custody have their day in court.
Before a hearing in federal court Thursday, Attorney Priyah Kaul spoke out against the San Diego County Sheriff's Department, claiming nothing has changed in county jails since a scathing state audit on the high number of in-custody deaths was released earlier this year.
"They continue to bury their heads in the sand," said Kaul. "They continue to deflect responsibility. They continue to make empty promises without any meaningful change on a concrete timeline."
An injunction was filed asking the court to order immediate action to prevent drugs from entering San Diego County jail and ensure timely safety checks for those in solitary confinement. This comes as the number of in-custody deaths has risen to 15 this year.
Sabrina Weddle, whose brother died of a fentanyl overdose while in custody last year, says the Sheriff's department does not have what it takes to keep people safe.
"My brother's death was preventable, all of these deaths are preventable," said Weddle. "Five deaths in the last month, like what are they doing?"
The Sheriff's Department says it has made improvements, including fixing broken intercoms.
The judge in the case did not take immediate action but will issue a ruling on a later date.
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